By Ben Elder Daily O’Collegian<\/p>\n
Stillwater, OK (U-WIRE) — Oklahoma State University’s wrestling program has finished a five-year project that honors its 130 individual NCAA National Champions.<\/p>\n
Located on the east wall of the wrestling room in Gallagher-Iba Arena, each national champion is depicted by an 8 inches wide, 11 inches tall sketch from the wrestlers’ respected era.<\/p>\n
The 130 sketches take up about 50 feet of wall space creating a virtual “wall of champions.”<\/p>\n
“We really thought it was a cool way to represent the champions, “said assistant wrestling coach Mark Branch. “It really looks classy. Everyone was impressed with the way it came out.”<\/p>\n
Chronicling 86 years of wrestling history from the days of Ed Gallagher to John Smith, the wall represents the rich tradition of wrestling at OSU.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great tribute to the legends of the past and for the new guys to look up there and put a face to the name they have known and heard about since they were little kids, “Branch said.<\/p>\n
Not only does the wall serve as memoir to OSU’s 33 team national championships, it instills confidence in the new generation of Cowboy wrestlers.<\/p>\n
125-pound sophomore Coleman Scott said the wall helps him push himself a little more each day.<\/p>\n
“It’s awesome, “the All-American said. “It’s nice to look back at the history and it actually serves as a lot of motivation, as well.”<\/p>\n
Coming off eight-place finish at nationals this past year, Scott said that the wall sets goals.<\/p>\n
“I have gotten to known some of those guys and it just pushes me more cause I want my picture up there, too, “Scott said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to be one of those guys who comes here and is a flop, I want to win a championship.”<\/p>\n
Branch, who was a national champion in 1994 and 97, believes the recognition was an honor – but oh how the times have changed.<\/p>\n
“Since they got up there all the guys are jabbing on each other and telling us how young we look, “Branch said. “It definitely dates us all, I think it might come back to haunt us. ”<\/p>\n
Haunt or not, the 130 champions on the wall explain why the program has an NCAA record 33 national championships. The wrestling room has become a place where champions were made and now a place where they can stay forever.<\/p>\n
“It’s an honor for me to be up there, “Branch said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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